Terps Tumble Talk: by Brandi George

The No. 33 Maryland gymnastics team fell to No. 16 Penn State at home on Friday, 195.275-191.600.

Maryland began the meet on the vault with Angela Ferg turning in the Terps' top score of a 9.85. Penn State's Brandi Personett led the Nittany Lions also with a 9.85 score on the uneven bars. Penn State narrowly led Maryland after the first event, 48.375-48.325.

Penn State's strong vaulting enabled them to increase their lead on Maryland by over a point in the second rotation. Four of the Nittany Lions' vaults were a 9.80 or higher. Maryland's top uneven bars score came from Rachel Colon, 9.75, followed by Brandi George with a 9.65.

In the third rotation, Maryland notched their highest event total of a 48.350. Freshmen were the Terps' top two performers. Talia Tossone scored a 9.8 closely followed by George's 9.75 score. After three events, the Terps trailed the Nittany Lions, 144.65-146.50.

Maryland struggled on their final event, the floor exercise, with four gymnasts falling during their routines.

There was a three-way tie for first place on vault among Angela Ferg and Penn State's Brandi Personett and Rosie Smith; all turning in a 9.85 score. Nittany Lion Katie Perret won uneven bars by scoring a 9.85. Perret tied first on balance beam with teammate Stephanie Sullivan with a 9.90 score. Personett also won floor with a 9.90.

The Terps will hold their Senior/Alumni Night next Saturday in the Comcast Center Pavilion at 4:00 p.m. as they host North Carolina. Seniors Rachel Colon, Angela Ferg and Marisa St. Lous will be recognized for their achievements at Maryland.